Type-writing-machine cushion-key



(No Model.) v W. P. DEVINE TYPE WRITING MACHINE CUSHION KEY.

,No. 558,872. Patented Apr. 21, 1896.

INVENTQR Wfxhcm? Demm ATTOHN IN GTO AN DREW BGRAHA M. PHmO-LmigWAsNState of New Jersey,

llNrTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM P. DEVINE, OF NEIVARK, NEIV JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITING-MACHINE CUSHION-KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 558,872, dated April21, 1896. Application filed September 10, 1895. Serial No. 562,059. (Nomodel.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. DEVINE, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Cushion- Keys for Type-IVritingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to cushion-keys forltype-writing machines,constructed for the purpose of relievingthe fingers of the operator ofsoreness caused by striking the hard surface of ordinary keys; and ithas for its objects to provide a cushion which can be secured directlyto the key-bar or other device to which the ordinary keys are usuallyse- 0 ured, and which has a self-contained and permanent air-cushion.lVith the devices heretofore employed the air-cushion was formed betweenthe upper face of and the top of the keyproper, the air-cushionconsequently being formed by the act of applying the auxiliary key tothe key proper.

My invention consists,essentially,in a cushion-key for type-writingmachines, consisting of a shell closed by an elastic diaphragm, the twoforming a hermetically-closed chamber, combined with means for attachingthe shell to the key-bar.

The nature of my invention will best be understood When described inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 representsa perspective View of a cushion-key embodying my invention applied tothe key-bar. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the cushion-key drawn 011an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a top view of the same. Figs. l, 5, (i, 7,8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate modified forms.

Similarletters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring at present to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the letter adesignates a cup shaped shell, preferably made cylindrical in form andof sheet metal by stamping up in a usual manner. The upper edge or rimof the shell is provided with a concaved neck I) of less diameter thanthe body of the shell and adapted for the reception of a circular beador flange 0, formed on the periphery of the closing-diaphragm d. Thisdiaphragm is made of rubber or other suitable elastic material,

the auxiliary key and is secured to the shell a by compressing the bead0 thereof firmly between the opposing parts of the neck I) of the shell.The diaphragm may be stretched more or less on its application to theshell. The interior of the shell being filled with air, which may beunder pressure if desired, a hermetically-closed elastic cushion isobtained.

This cushion-key may be secured to the keybar K either by soldering thesame directly to the latter, when the key-bar is made of metal, or itmay be secured in any other suitable manner. In Fig. 4 I have shown ashank e riveted to the shell, while in Fig. 6 I have shown a shank e,split and soldered to the shell. These shanks may represent the keybar,or may be attached to the same. In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 I have shown theusual yoke-shaped clip 6 which is soldered to the shell and embraces ahorizontal portion of the key-bar.

The letters of the alphabet and other characters may be applied, eitherby painting or otherwise, directly to the surface of the diaphragm, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or the letters may be made of rubber andvulcanized in the diaphragm or dovetailed therein, as shown in Figs. 4.and 5.

Instead of being stretched straight across the shell the diaphragm maybe concaved, as shown in full lines in Fig. '7, or convexed, as shown bydotted lines in the same figure.

In Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, I have shown the cushion-key applieddirectly to the key-bar, as would be the case When the cushion-keys areapplied to type-writing machines during their manufacture for themarket. When the cushion-keys are to be applied to machines already inuse, I provide the cushi0nkeys with means for applying the same directlyto the keys of the machine. Such constructions I have shown in Figs. 8and 9. In. Fig. 8 I have shown the shell a provided with a series ofprongs f, adapted to extend over and embrace the key and having theirends clenched over the bottom of the key. In Fig. 9 I have shown thecushion-key provided with a tubular extension f, which is forced overthe key and held by friction. If desired, its

edge may be closed slightly inward around the bottom of the key.

In Fig. 10 I have shown the cushion-key composed of a shell a formedwith a shoulder 8, a sleeve t, formed with a contracted head '25, and adiaphragm d, wedged between the shell and sleeve. This cushion-key isadapted to be secured directly to the key-bar, while in the constructionshown in Fig. 11 the sleeve 15 is carried 'down to enable it to beclamped about the key proper.

It is evident that the manner of securing the diaphragm to the shell maybe varied. Therefore I do not wish to restrict myself to the particularmanner shown. However, I have found that the concaved neck and theperipheral bead 0 form a very tight union.

I do not herein broadly claim a key-cushion for type-writing machines,but the improvement whereby the air -cushion is self-contained and notdependent on the key.

I do not herein claim a key-cushion c011- taining an internal air-spacebeneath substantially the middle of the surface receiving the touch ofthe finger and provided with an exterior projection adapted to interlockwith an inward projection.

What I claim as new is 1. As a new article of manufacture a cushion-keyfor type-writing machines, consisting of a shell and a diaphragmhermetically closing said shell and forming with the same aself-contained air-cushion, substantially as described.

2. A cushion key for type writing machines, consisting of a cup-shapedshell provided with a contracted neck, and a diaphragm provided with anenlarged peripheral bead fitted into and secured in said neck,substantially as described.

3. A cushion key for type writing machines, consisting of a shell, adiaphragm hermetically closing said shell and forming with the same aself-contained air-cushion, and an attaching device, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname in presence of two witnesses.

' \VM. P. DEVINE.

Vitnesses:

J AS. T. SHERIDAN, FRED S. SAYRE.

